Page:Men of the Time, eleventh edition.djvu/87

70 April 15, 1865. Mr. T. W. Robertson's popular comedies were brought out at this theatre, and in each of them Mr. Bancroft may be said to have created one of the leading characters. In "Society" (1865) he appeared as Sydney Daryl and afterwards as Tom Stylus; in "Ours" (1866) as Angus McAlister; in "Caste" (1867) as Captain Hawtree; in "Play" as Chevalier Browne; in "School" (1869) as Jack Poyntz; and in "M.P." as Talbot Piers. In 1867 Mr. Bancroft married Miss Marie Wilton, and a large share of the management of the Prince of Wales's Theatre thenceforward devolved upon him. Among other parts subsequently performed by him at that house were Sir Frederick Blount in "Money," Joseph Surface in the "School for Scandal," Triplet in "Masks and Faces," Sir George Ormond in "Peril," Dazzle in "London Assurance," Blenkinsop in "An Unequal Match," and Count Orloff in "Diplomacy." Mr. Bancroft's successful management of the Prince of Wales's Theatre was brought to a close on Jan. 29, 1880. In Sept. 1879, he had become lessee of the Haymarket, and after he had expended a large sum on its internal rebuilding and decorations, he began his management of this theatre on Jan. 31, 1880. The first performance was Lord Lytton's comedy "Money." It was followed by revivals of "School," "Masks and Faces," "Society," and "Ours." "Odette" was produced in April, 1882, Mr. Bancroft taking the part of Lord Henry Trevene, with Madame Modjeska as Odette. This was followed by "The Overland Route "(Sept. 1882). The farewell revival of "Caste" is now being performed (Feb. 1883); and it will be followed by a new play by Mr. Pardon and a new comedy written by Mr. A. W. Pinero.

 BANDMANN,, a popular actor, born at Cassel, Germany, Nov. 1, 1839. The instinct for acting was apparent in him at a very early age, for in his childhood he used to invite his play-fellows to the cellar, to play scenes out of the Bible, such as "Adam and Eve," when he spoke both the parts, and filled up the dialogue with flashes of lightning through a tin pipe, when God called upon Cain for his brother Abel. At the age of eighteen he made his first appearance on the stage at the Court Theatre of Neu-Strelitz, where he at once became a great favourite with the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg, who took a personal interest in his career, and aided him in his profession. His next engagement was at Prague, whence he proceeded to Grätz, Weimar, Pesth, and Vienna. In all these towns he acquired great popularity as an actor of Shaksperean characters. Failing health, consequent on severe study, necessitated a voyage to New York, where, after a short rest, he was requested by his fellow-countrymen to play for a few nights at the Stadt-Theater, where his acting speedily attracted the notice of journalists and critics, who pronounced the enthusiastic German to be one of the greatest actors of the period. It was in New York that Mr. Bandmann first began the study of the English language, and it is remarked that in six weeks' time he was able to act Shylock at Niblo's Garden, speaking the language of its author—his teacher being an accomplished English lady. His success was highly encouraging. The German play of "Narcisse" was afterwards translated for him, and with a répertoire embracing Hamlet, Shylock, Macbeth, Richard the Third, Othello, Iago, Benedick, and Richelieu, he made a tour of five years through the United States, his success being really wonderful. He played the part of Hamlet in Philadelphia, by invitation of the Shakspere Society, upon the occasion of the 